Saturday, March 31, 2012

St. Lucia- our favorite secret beach!

St. Lucia has become one of our favorite islands to visit in the Caribbean.  We've found a little hide away there - a secluded beach-  away from the cruise ship crowds - a place for total relaxation - a place that we have come to LOVE~~


Should I tell you where it is?  Can you keep my secret?  


We met our taxi boat at the pier and were whisked away on a 30 minute ride across the beautiful deep blue ocean~


 Out of a cruise ship population of 2000 people -
 only our group of 4 and another 2 couples
 were with us on this great 
adventure. 
(In this photo - the Gardener and our friend Bob 
are getting ready to be drenched
 by a huge boat wave!)




Here I am on the boat with my friend Robert.  If you want to plan a visit to TiKaye Village - Robert is the guy to talk to.  He will take good care of you!   We each paid $75 for our fabulous day at TiKaye.  Our trip included round trip transportation, lunch, 2 drinks, snorkel equipment and the opportunity to go out on the boat with the snorkel excursion. (or you can snorkel on your own from the beach).  You can also go on a diving expedition - however there is an extra charge to go diving with the group.  We made our reservations about 3 months in advance of our trip.  You will need to keep that in mind when making your plans. 



Remember our previous discussions about the type of camera I use for photo taking?  Here you go - proof positive.  Caught in the act.  Kodak Easy Share - (I rest my case.)  Like I told you - I'm a total wimp when it comes to fancy cameras!


Arriving at TiKaye Village.


Here we are - 
can you even believe the crowds?

 The Gardener and Bob 
are preparing
 to leave on the dive boat with Robert.  
(The Gardener went snorkeling and Bob went diving.) 
Me - 
I've got other plans!!


The hotel actually sits upon the cliff that over looks the beach.  There are a series of stairs that lead from the beach to the hotel area on top of the cliff.  I have this thing about stairs~~ I love to climb them!    Come on up with me~~

The view from mid way up the stairs.
Come on - keep climbing!


Here we are at the top of the stairs!

It's so beautiful up here!

Another beautiful view from the top of the cliff!

Looking out towards the beach~

Don't you wish you were here right now?

The hotel restaurant at the top of the stairs.

Such a beautiful view for a restaurant. 

You don't HAVE to climb the stairs~~ 
Here is the view from the beach bar restaurant where we ate our lunch. (for those of you who don't have my obsession with stairs -- you CAN request that the hotel shuttle drive you from the beach to the hotel at the top of the cliff.)  I'll meet you at the top!


 There are so many wonderful things that we love about cruises~~
but the downside to all the great places that you get to visit - is that time passes all too quickly and at the end of the day - we have to pack up and leave~~

      Headed back to the ship~
Our motley windblown group!

Our view of St. Lucia 
as seen from the top deck of the cruise ship.
Next to Venice, Italy - the sail out from St. Lucia is one of the most scenic that I have ever experienced. 
 It is truly beautiful.
   Have your camera's ready!

We left St Lucia with some wonderful memories and a few of these sea shells!
 

~~~~~~~
Are you tired of cruising with me yet?  We still have Aruba and Curacao left - I want to take you there also!  (I promise a reward for you all at the end of the cruise photos - a little tropical give away!)  And~~ I can hardly wait to share with you the photos that the Gardener took when we went swimming with sea turtles~


But first-- I want to take a little break from travels and share with you the incredible spring that we are having here - it is so unbelievably beautiful~~


May I share something with you that is heavy on my heart?
I have a dear blogging friend who is just beginning a journey to places that none of us ever want to go.  She is fighting cancer head on in a battle that I KNOW she will win. Please pray for my friend and for all those that you know and love who are staying strong and not giving in to this retched disease.  I love you Donna~

Vicki

23 comments:

Linda Carole Bloom said...

What a wonderful vacation! As I sit here in the 41 degree weather and rain, I can picture myself sitting on the sand next to that boat full of shells! I have a little point and shoot as well - you are proof that they take wonderful photos!

Mr Paul said...

St Lucia looks beautiful and you look like you're having a ball. Swimming with sea turtles, hello it doesn't get more beautiful than that. Wow,I'm uber jealous. Have a fabulous time.
Paul

Lois Evensen said...

No, I will never get tired of your cruise photos. Those turtles are wonderful, too!

All the best wishes from here for your friend, Donna.

Sunday hugs,
Lois

Quinn said...

Keeping a good thought for your friend!

Vintage Sandy said...

Vicki,
You've just taken me on a fabulous vacation maybe someday I'll get to experience it myself...your pic's are so beautiful may have to look into that camera, and you've got my prayers for your friend I also have a cousin fighting brain cancer will we ever be free from it I don't think so I'm afraid keep those beautiful pic's coming I so enjoy them...
Hugz

knitalatte said...

Vicki,
St Lucia looks great from the top of the stairs. Thanks for climbing all the way up for us to capture the beauty of your surroundings. Oh and the trees back at home, wow, amazing. Lookiing forward to turtle time.
Sorry to hear about Donna, I'll keep her in my prayers...

Mereknits said...

I will keep your friend in my prayers. I spent 5 days in St. Lucia five years ago and loved every minute of it. I just got back from a week in Turks and Caicos and I miss it so much.
Glad you had fun,
Meredith

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

Absolutely stunning photos! I cannot wait to see the ones from Venice. It has always been my dream to go !

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Love and prayers to Donna and to everyone who is her support.

Tanya said...

Sending hugs and prayers Donna's way...

These photos are incredible...fabulous way to start my morning. And, I'm a stair climber, too - I would have joined you, with my camera. I love nothing better than to walk and see things from a higher angle. Happy Sunday, Vicki! Can't wait for the turtles...XOXO

Art From The heart said...

Oh thank you for a delightful trip on a dreary Michigan day. Our early spring departed,the cold returned to do damage to the fruit trees taht are so abundant here.
Many prayers to your friend Donna. I do not know anyone these days whose lives have not been touched by Cancer,be it family or friends.Hugs, Amy Jo

Julie Marie said...

Hello Vicki... first of all, praying for Donna... God is good... all will be okay for her... I just know it will... your cruise photos are beautiful... I had fun climbing all the stairs with you... as you know, I am a stair climber too, and the flowers and view at the top were so worth it!... I just love cruising with you... and I love that you also use a point and shoot camera!... can't wait to see more of your gorgeous cruise photos... wishing you a beautiful April day... xoxo Julie Marie PS Springtime where you live is just stunning!

Esme said...

Those turtles are so pretty-the water is so clear. I can see why you keep on returning. I am joining you next time. Your legs look hot-all nice and tanned. Have a good Sunday.

Createology said...

First and foremost prayers for Donna and Healing Hugs along her journey. St. Lucia is so beautiful. I have been there and enjoyed the outdoor marketplace where we purchased spices and homemade vanilla...the best ever. Your photos are stunning. Joy radiates from you and your travels. Serene Sunday...

Debby said...

I am praying for Donna as well. Do you have her address? She sounded great in her last post. What a wonderful group of people that she works with.
Your pictures are beautiful. The turtle one is amazing.....I know that was someone else's.
I have a Kodak Easy Share that is about 6 years old. I don't photo shop my pictures.....just don't want to spend the time. I have been wanting a new camera. I looked and looked......didn't want a big camera, just a nice point and shoot. Gess what I ordered.....anoter Kodak Easy Share, hah. How appropriate for this post.......it's a cancer awareness special edition.

Silke Powers said...

Oh, that looks incredible!! Another island we MUST go to!! I love the photos from the top of the stairs - how breathtaking!! And that photo of spring in your part of the world and the sea turtles - amazing!!

And I'll certainly keep Donna in my heart!

xoxo Silke

Mosaic Magpie said...

Love the photos! I always feel relaxed after veiwing your photos, almost as if I have been enjoying those tropical breezes. The sea turtles are beautiful, love the color of their shells. I will keep Donna in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb

SuZeQ said...

Aaahhhhhhhhh ... I can just HEAR that water and feel the sun. Just beautiful photographs, as always. Thank you for taking me along with you. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Dorthe said...

OH you dear woman, you have made the most wonderful trip,once again, and giftet us with the most beautiful photoes, sweet Vicki- what amazing colours , that nature have, when seen in full sunlight.
Love to you, Dorthe
and all the best wishes, also from me- to your friend, Donna

Suzan said...

I'm impressed with your lovely pictures being taken by the kodak!! The water is beautiful and love those hot pink flower vine!! Now --- what kind of shoes do you wear for all your walking??

Finding Joy said...

These are lovely photos, I feel like I have shared your holidays:).

Tanna said...

You have me ready to pack my bags, Vicki!! Gorgeous photos and I love your cover-up! You look gorgeous.

Wishing the best for your friend, Donna. blessings ~ tanna

nanny said...

St lucia definitely looks like my kind of vacation spot.... And oh that sea turtle pic is fantastic!!

Hoping the best for your dear friend!

dreamchallenge said...

My dear friend, the pictures are so very beautiful. My heart and mind are so full of wonderful memories that you and that Gardner helped Bob and I acquire.
Donna will be on our prayer list.
Love you, Jan